Getting on track to a mentally healthy workplace
October is Mental Health Month and a great opportunity to focus on making your workplace more mentally healthy. The Workplace Pulse Check will help you get started.
Mental health at work matters
More than half a million NSW workers have poor mental health - that’s around 1 in 6 people. This not only impacts their personal wellbeing, but research shows the estimated cost of mental ill-health at work in NSW is $2.8 billion per year.
Following the drought, bushfires and COVID-19, it’s no surprise that the demand has grown significantly for workplace mental health programs, services and resources to help businesses and individuals get back on track, recover and have healthy and safe workplaces.
As we spend one-third of our adult life at work, it’s vital that as business owners or leaders, we create a workplace that supports mental health. A mentally healthy workplace encourages a positive culture with engaged staff and better productivity. It will also help your business attract and keep great talent.
The high cost of feeling low
Failing to manage mental health at work can hit your bottom line hard. According to a joint study between UTS and the University of Sydney, the average yearly cost to employers from their workers taking time off work due to mental health issues is estimated at $131 – 454 per person. A study in 2020, on worker mental health during COVID-19 found that 38% of workers reported feeling mentally unwell in the last 12 months.
Benefits worth investing in
Research shows that working in an environment that is mentally healthy is the second most important factor when looking for a job. It also means workers are less likely to look elsewhere for a job.
A positive and inclusive workplace culture gives employees the confidence to be themselves at work and feel like they belong. It gives them a greater sense of purpose, achievement, and pride in their work. In a mentally healthy workplace, your staff will know how to access mental health support services if needed and feel comfortable doing so. By offering better support and recovery at work, they’ll heal faster and reduce their time away from the workplace.
Check in before your staff check out
Knowing how to prioritise the mental health and wellbeing of staff is more important than ever. To help you know the mental health of your workplace, we have launched the Workplace Pulse Check, an easy 11-question check that takes only 5 minutes.
Your results will include, the level, between 1 and 5 of how mentally healthy your workplace is, plus how your results compare to other businesses of the same size in your industry.
You will get practical actions to take to improve your score and you can share your results with other leaders and colleagues to get everyone on board to making your workplace mentally healthy. Take your first step in creating a mentally healthy workplace by completing your Workplace Pulse Check today.
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